Are you looking to understand if you can access Delaware medical marijuana for AIDS short for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. As you are aware, AIDS can be a debilitating diagnosis. AIDS can be accompanied by many symptoms, but some include rapid weight loss, swollen glands, depression, diarrhea, chronic pain, and many more symptoms.  And many will often experience side effects from the medications they are taking to treat their AIDS diagnosis. So, it’s no surprise that you may be searching for alternatives for AIDS.

The good news is that as a Delaware resident a person can access medical marijuana for AIDS. If you have a positive AIDS status and have questions about the possibility of obtaining a Delaware medical marijuana card, the team at Green Relief Health is here to help! Our Patient Care Coordinators can be reached Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at 302-564-9994 or by scheduling an appointment here.

What is AIDS?

AIDS is the late stage of HIV infection that occurs when the body’s immune system is badly damaged because of the virus.

In the U.S., most people with HIV do not develop AIDS because taking HIV medicine as prescribed stops the progression of the disease.

A person with HIV is considered to have progressed to AIDS when:

• the number of their CD4 cells falls below 200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood (200 cells/mm3). (In someone with a healthy immune system, CD4 counts are between 500 and 1,600 cells/mm3.) OR
• they develop one or more opportunistic infections regardless of their CD4 count.

Without HIV medicine, people with AIDS typically survive about 3 years. Once someone has a dangerous opportunistic illness, life expectancy without treatment falls to about 1 year. HIV medicine can still help people at this stage of HIV infection, and it can even be lifesaving. But people who start HIV medicine soon after they get HIV experience more benefits—that’s why HIV testing is so important.

Can Delaware Medical Marijuana Help Those With AIDS?

We all have something in our bodies called an endocannabinoid system. This system is a complex network of receptors located in many areas such as our brain, digestive system, skin, bones, and more. It is no surprise then that medical cannabis may offer some benefit for those with HIV and AIDS.

Marijuana has been shown to have effects on the immune system, and T cells, so research has started finding possible mechanisms that could help those patients. A study in Los Angeles did show a significant drop in viral numbers in those who smoked marijuana.

Marijuana has been used as a sleep aid by many people, However, more research is needed, as the number of studies on the subject is low to prove its definitive effects to help with sleep.

Wasting syndrome is a common symptom of AIDS, where the person loses over ten percent of their body weight due to the disease. Luckily, medical marijuana has been shown to both increase weight gain and the number of times the user ate in a day.

Can I Get A Medical Card For AIDS In Delaware?

Yes, you can absolutely get a medical card for AIDS in Delaware. The state of Delaware has 14 medical conditions that are specifically outlined in the law that a patient can qualify for to get a Delaware medical card. One of those specifically outlined conditions is AIDS. To qualify for a medical card for AIDS you will need to be able to document your AIDS diagnosis.

A patient can document their AIDS diagnosis through their medical history. You will need to be able to show that in your medical history you have been seen by a provider for HIV/AIDS. Inside of your medical history there will be notes that your provider has made to document the existence of the AIDS diagnosis. It is also important to remember that typically a chronic condition is anything over three months in duration.

Getting Your Delaware Medical Card For AIDS

Once it has been determined that you have a qualifying condition for medical marijuana in Delaware like AIDS, the process to get your medical card is relatively simple. You will meet with a certified provider to go over your medical history and qualifying condition. If the provider finds that you meet the qualifying criteria the provider is, then able to submit a certification to the state of Delaware.

After your doctor’s visit there is still one step to go to qualify for a Delaware medical marijuana card. You will then need to submit an application to the state of Delaware to verify your residency in the state. In addition, you will sign a form to release your medical information to the state of Delaware which is a part of the approval process. This process can either be done online or through the mail. There is a $50 application fee to submit this application to the state of Delaware, which is important to keep in mind.

Visiting A Compassion Center

The final step in the process of obtaining medical cannabis in Delaware is to visit a compassion center. Now that you are a certified medical cannabis patient, you can visit a compassion center to obtain medical marijuana products. The state of Delaware has compassion centers located throughout the state. You are not required to go to any one compassion center but can go to whichever compassion center you would like. When you arrive at the compassion center you will have to show your Delaware medical cannabis card to purchase products. Compassion centers typically have very friendly and helpful staff that can walk you through the process and make recommendations on products that would work best for you.

How Can Green Relief Health Help?

If you’re curious about whether you may qualify for a Delaware medical marijuana card for AIDS, reach out to us today! If you’d like to speak with a Green Relief Health team member, you may contact our office Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. On our website you can also find a large selection of educational blogs, an FAQ page with answers to frequently asked questions, and our own line of hemp-derived CBD that’s recommended by physicians!